Oct. 17, 2003

The Rev. Francis J. Moloney Named School of Theology Dean

The Very Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M., president of The Catholic University of America, has announced the appointment of the Rev. Francis J. Moloney, S.D.B., as dean of the university’s School of Theology and Religious Studies.

The Rev. Francis J. Moloney, S.D.B.

A professor of New Testament studies since 1999, Father Moloney holds the Katharine Drexel Chair of Religious Studies. Pope John Paul II appointed Father Moloney to the International Theological Commission to the Holy See in 1984, and he remains on that important advisory body to the Vatican as one of its longest-serving members.

In announcing the appointment, Father O’Connell praised the dean’s international reputation, “both as a scholar and a professor-mentor.”

"I have great personal and professional respect for him and his ability to lead CUA's School of Theology and Religious Studies forward, especially now that its long-anticipated reorganization is fully implemented,” Father O’Connell said. “Despite the burdens of a demanding schedule, Father Moloney has generously agreed to serve as dean. I am grateful to him for his generosity and I offer him my support and prayerful best wishes."

Father Moloney replaces Monsignor Stephen P. Happel, who died suddenly on Oct. 4, 2003. He will serve as dean through the 2004-05 academic year.

Born in Melbourne, Australia, and educated by the Christian Brothers at St. Bernard’s College, Father Moloney joined the Australian Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco in 1960. He pursued graduate studies in theology in Rome, earning a license in sacred theology from the Salesian Pontifical University and a license in sacred scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute. He earned a doctorate of philosophy from Oxford University in 1976.

Father Moloney returned to his native Australia to serve as professor of New Testament at Catholic Theological College, within the ecumenical Melbourne College of Divinity. In 1992 he was elected a fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities – the first theologian to be given recognition by this body. In 1994 he was made a member of the Order of Australia, a state honor in recognition of his services to Australian religion and culture. In 1994 he was appointed the foundation professor of theology at Australian Catholic University, a national Catholic University.

Father Moloney joined The Catholic University of America faculty in 1999, and in August 2001 was elected president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America, the first non-U.S. citizen ever to hold the position.

A founding editor of the Australian theological journal Pacifica and an associate editor of The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, Father Moloney is the author of 38 books and a large number of articles, both scholarly and popular, in journals from all parts of the world.

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Any questions or comments? cu a-public-affairs@cua.edu

Revised: 10/17/2003